Emirates ID renewal at a glance
As published by ICP and checked on 14 October 2026.
| Topic | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UAE citizens: when you can renew | From one year before expiry (since 14 July 2026) | ICP announcement |
| GCC nationals and residents: when you can renew | In the last six months before expiry, or after expiry | ICP FAQ |
| Grace period | 30 days after the expiry date | ICP FAQ |
| Late fine | AED 20 a day after the grace period, up to AED 1,000 | ICP FAQ |
| Resident card fee | AED 100 for each year of the residence permit | ICP renewal service page |
| Citizen card fee | AED 100 (5-year card, under 21) or AED 200 (10-year card, 21 and over) | ICP renewal service page |
| Urgent service | AED 150, at ICP service centres only | ICP renewal service page |
Typing centre, smart service and delivery charges are added on top and differ by channel. The app or centre shows the final amount before you pay.
When can you renew?
Since 14 July 2026, UAE citizens can renew their Emirates ID up to one year before it expires, instead of six months. ICP's FAQ still gives the six-month window for GCC nationals and residents, so if you are an expat you can apply in the last six months before the expiry date or after it expires. Starting early does not shorten the new card: its validity follows the rules for your status.
- Citizen, card expires 1 June 2027: you can apply from 1 June 2026.
- Resident, card expires 1 June 2027: you can apply from 1 December 2026.
How to renew: the steps
You can apply through the UAEICP app, the ICP smart services website, an ICP customer happiness centre or an approved typing centre. For most residents, the Emirates ID is renewed together with the residence permit in one application, so the medical fitness test and the residence renewal come first. In Dubai, residence permits are handled by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai).
- Check your passport is valid for at least 3 more months.
- Apply on the UAEICP app or at a typing centre and upload a recent photo that meets ICP's photo rules.
- Pay the fees shown on screen and keep the receipt.
- If you are 15 or older and asked to, visit an ICP service centre to give fingerprints and a signature.
- Collect the new card by courier or at the chosen centre.
How much does renewal cost?
ICP's renewal service page lists AED 100 for each year of the residence permit for residents, and AED 100 for a 5-year card or AED 200 for a 10-year card for citizens, with AED 150 extra for the urgent service. Service, typing and delivery charges are added on top and depend on where you apply. ICP's service pages have not been updated recently, so treat these figures as a guide and check the total in the app before paying.
The late fine and the grace period
You have 30 days after the expiry date to renew. After that, ICP charges AED 20 for each day of delay, up to a maximum of AED 1,000. ICP has said exemptions from delay fees are considered on humanitarian grounds, so if you were abroad for medical treatment or another serious reason, ask at a service centre.
- Renewed 20 days after expiry: no fine.
- Renewed 45 days after expiry: 15 days late × AED 20 = AED 300.
- Renewed 100 days after expiry: 70 × AED 20 = AED 1,400, capped at AED 1,000.
Why renewals get held up
Most delays come from a few avoidable problems. Check these before you apply, because each rejected application has to be corrected and sent again, and the days keep counting toward the fine once the grace period ends. If the app shows a request for more information, answer it from the same application rather than starting a new one, so you do not pay twice.
- Passport valid for less than 3 months: renew the passport first.
- Medical fitness test not done or not yet linked to the residence application.
- Photo rejected for its background, size or a face that is not clear.
- Name or passport number different from the details already on file.
- Unpaid fines or an open case on the sponsor's file.
Lost or damaged card
A lost or damaged Emirates ID is replaced through a separate replacement service, not renewal, and the fee is different. You can apply on the UAEICP app or through a typing centre. If the card was stolen, report it to the police first.
Use the free tools
Use the date calculator to count the days until your card expires or how many days late you are, and the image resizer or compressor if the app rejects your photo for its size. Both run in your browser, so your photo is not uploaded to us.